A doctor says some frontline NHS staff have been worried going into work following the recent racist protests.

Dr Zahra Ali also said many workers like herself felt dejected. She said it presented 'a difficult moral case to care for people taking part in such marches and sharing hate content'.

Ultimately however, she felt the 'duty to care prevails and immigrants and descendants of immigrants will be there to provide care in their hour of need'.

After a weekend of unrest there was less disorder this week. On Wednesday, towns and cities were braced for further violence but the night saw thousands of anti-racism protestors take to the streets instead, in a show of defiance.

The total number of arrests made after violence erupted in the wake of the Southport stabbings now stands close to 500.

At least 191 police officers are thought to have been assaulted in the unrest, resulting in 100 being injured and 66 being taken to hospital.

Dr Ali, who lives and works in the area but did not want to share details of her location, said: “Amongst a sea of scrubbed up doctors, I would not count myself as someone who looks ‘visibly Muslim’.

"I do however have more pigment in my skin. This alone is sufficient to make me a target in the race riots, working on the frontline of the NHS.

“While working as a part of this community can be incredibly rewarding, the riots have heightened tensions for Muslim NHS staff.

"Some individuals are having to commute via ‘safer routes’ and others feel compelled to travel in groups.”

She said she had been encouraged by anti-racism protests and the messages of unity which had been shared this week.

“In these uncertain times, it raises the question of what it means to be a Muslim NHS worker.

"As hundreds of far-right protestors came out their message became increasingly evident, as they chanted ’get out’.

“While this has been heartwarming as a Muslim NHS worker it is equally disturbing. Swathes of far-right people have seamlessly re-integrated into society. 

“Are they the patients who walk through the door requiring life-saving treatment, or are they amongst the multidisciplinary teams working with us to deliver care? 

“Should we now be more aware of our race and religion than ever before as the dissidents of our society conceal themselves amongst us?”

The British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) said it had recorded a significant rise in 'racist abuse' against Muslim workers following the onset of the riots across the UK.

Dr Salman Waqar, President of BIMA said: "A significant portion of NHS staff are Muslim and /or of ethnic minority heritage, as are many patients that we serve.

"They are feeling vulnerable and deeply concerned for their safety."

He added in a statement earlier this week: "Over the past few days, BIMA has heard from many of our members who have felt scared and been threatened.

"This is time for strong leadership and ally-ship. NHS employers and universities must do all they can to ensure the safety of their staff, students and patients and support those impacted by threats of physical and psychological violence."